Three Essential Truths About Entrepreneurial Success

In 18 years of working on the web I’ve learned a few things about what works for getting noticed and creating opportunities for your business.

There are three core principles that have gelled for me over the last couple of years and stand out as essential truths about entrepreneurial success.

Message on the wall of my local pizza joint.

The first is Connection. Without true deep connection to your clients, colleagues and your cause, it’s hard to get up in the morning and do the work. There are a lot more “C” words in here that support connection: care, commitment, champion, and compassion are the first that come to mind. Make sure the people in your circle align with your passions so there’s no doubt about why and with whom you’re doing what you do.

The second is Experimentation. In my experience, Success comes through experimentation. Testing and finding what works and discarding what doesn’t. There is no shame in failure when you are moving forward, experimenting to find exactly the right thing for you to do and share with your community.

And the third is Adventure. Being an entrepreneur and having your own business is one big, grand adventure. It’s so damn exciting. Yes, there will be rivers to ford and challenging mountains to climb and yet when you get to the top of the mountain and look back at what you’ve achieved, often against many odds, it’s one of the most thrilling moments you can experience.

At the intersection of Connection, Experimentation and Adventure is Joy. This is the magical nexus that propels you out of bed each day to do what you do. All pretense is stripped away. Your joy radiates and creates a spotlight on your message and your work. Doors open and opportunities abound. Then your job is to just say yes!

You’ll notice I haven’t mentioned any tools or tactics. They are secondary to your entrepreneurial success. When you radiate Joy, people notice and gravitate to you. Then the tools and tactics serve as vehicles to engage and interact with your desired audience.

About Denise Wakeman

Denise Wakeman's motto is "Just say yes!" After a life-changing trek in the Peruvian Andes, she embraced her inner Adventurer and ditched the black business suits for a knapsack and hiking boots. As long as there’s wifi, Denise is a happy glamper. She’s an early adopter and active experimenter, and loves helping authors and online entrepreneurs navigate the journey of growing their business on the Web with online marketing strategies. Connect with Denise on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.